A Hipster's Guide To Tel Aviv, Israel

If you are looking for the Brooklyn of Tel Aviv, head over to the Florentin neighborhood, which is home to great restaurants and bars alongside some of the best street art you’ll see in Tel Aviv. The streets are full of color and designs painted with expression, so you won’t want to miss out on seeing the pieces scattered throughout this neighborhood. If you’re looking for something a little less grungy, check out Neve Tzedek. It was the first neighborhood built in the ‘new’ city of Tel Aviv in 1887.

Shmanmonet is a neighborhood corner cafe spot by day and a local restaurant and bar by night. You’ll feel like you’re in a painting when you walk inside and see the colorful painted walls and local art decorating the cafe. If you are looking for a coffee shop where everyone knows your name, check out Cafelix on Shlomo Hamelech Street. If you become a ‘regular’ here, you can put your own personal coffee cup on the wall. Cafelix has a cool atmosphere and amazing coffee — it is rare to find a coffee shop that locally roasts its coffee beans every day.

Shmanmonet, Yehuda HaLevy 109, Tel Aviv, Israel, +972-50-767-7708

Cafelix, Shlomo ha-Melekh St 12, Tel Aviv, Israel, + 972 352 503 88

If you are looking for a hip spot to enjoy good drinks and live music, check out Container at the Jaffa Port. It is a nice and relaxing spot right on the water and often features free concerts in the evening. For something a little less mainstream, stop at Moonshine on Lilienblum right off of Allenby. Inspired by classic speakeasies, Moonshine is an intimate cocktail bar with an underground ambiance and a bar stocked with craft liquors.

Moonshine, Lilienblum 43, Tel Aviv

Kuli Alma is arguably one of the coolest bars in all of Tel Aviv. With colorful, changing art on the walls, awesome DJs and cool spaces for lounging, dancing or eating, this bar guarantees a good night. For some late night hip-hop, head over to Radio EPGB to finish your night. If you’re feeling more low-key, check out Sputnik or Teder. Sputnik is an underground space located in an alley, making it a cool mix of outdoor and indoor. Teder is open for 120 days in the summer to provide a cool outdoor courtyard bar and an alternative to commercialized radio stations.

Radio EPBG, Shadal Street 7, Tel Aviv, Israel, +972 3 560 3636

Kuli Alma, Mikveh Israel St 10, Tel Aviv, Israel, +972 3 656 5155

Sputnik, Allenby 122, Tel Aviv, Israel, +972 52 849 2111

For great food and an even better atmosphere, head over to Port Said next to the Great Synagogue on Allenby Street. Port Said is always busy and you might have to wait for a table, but while you wait, you can enjoy a drink (or two). The outdoor seating area is full of hipsters, no matter what time of year, and this trendy spot serves up amazing food. The menu features dishes with the freshest ingredients from the Carmel market nearby. Another cool venue for outdoor dining is Shpagat — designed like stadium bleachers, this hip cafe is a great place for people-watching.

Port Said Bar, 5 Har Sinai St, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-03-571-9622
Shpagat, 43 Nahalat Binyamin St, Tel Aviv, Israel +972-03-560-1758

If you are looking for a new wardrobe, a Polaroid camera, or funky jewelry, there are tons of second-hand shops in the city. Check out Ha’Baron Vintage for vintage books and their premium collection of lamps, or Black Hole Records where you can buy or sell old records, DVDs or cassettes. At Ahava Le Shnia, which in English means ‘Love for second’, you can find anything you could possibly want to add to your wardrobe.

This innovative city really is the ultimate hipster destination. Tel-O-Fun is a public bike sharing project by the Municipality that offers about 150 bike stations throughout the city. A green bike is always available and is the most fun, easy and affordable mode of transportation. If you are in the need of a hipster haircut, head over to Barberia Barbers on Dizengoff Street. These stylish barbers specialize in men’s haircuts, beard trimmings and pampering.

Barberia Barbers, 130 Dizengoff, Tel Aviv, Israel 03-575-9145